Sri Lanka’s elderly population increased to 18%

Sri Lanka has been identified as one of the countries in the Asian region with the fastest-growing elderly population, according to health authorities.

Consultant Community Physician Dr. Nishani Ubeysekara stated that in 2012, the elderly population of Sri Lanka accounted for 12% of the total population and by 2024, this figure has increased to 18%.

Speaking at a media briefing organized by the Health Promotion Bureau, Dr. Ubeysekara further explained:

“According to the 2012 census, 12% of Sri Lanka’s population were aged 60 years and above. In the 2024 census, this has risen to 18%.

We have projected that by 2040, 25% of the population — that is, one in every four people — will be elderly.

Compared with other Asian countries, Sri Lanka is identified as having one of the highest rates of increase in its elderly population.

This situation has arisen mainly due to an increase in life expectancy at birth and a decline in birth rates.”

Meanwhile, Consultant Geriatrician Dr. Sithira Seneviratne of the National Hospital of Colombo said that falls caused by frailty among older adults are now being recognized as a medical condition.

Dr. Sithira Seneviratne noted that statistics show that among people over 65 years of age, one in three experiences a fall within a year while among those over 80, about half experience a fall annually.

She added:

“often, falling is not identified as a disease, but we now recognize it as one. Many times, after a person falls, treatment is given only for the injury, without investigating the cause of the fall.

When someone falls in old age, we tend to think it’s just a normal part of aging — but it’s not. Falling is a medical condition.

It can lead to serious injuries and even death in some cases.

The main cause of falls is frailty, and by diagnosing and addressing this issue properly, we can prevent many complications.”